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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I listened to this as an audiobook and did not find out until the closing credits that it was an abridged version. Withholding full judgment til I read the whole thing, which now may not be for a couple years. Exceptionally good characters though, even in abridged form. Extremely alive.
AB
AB
I've had this book for years - it was a gift from my other half, in part because Franzen and I both come from St Louis, Missouri. I'm not sure why I avoided it for so long but it was a wise decision because I probably couldn't have handled it if I'd read it when I was younger. I was seriously triggered by a number of things; family dysfunction, patriarchy, conservatism and SIMPLY KNOWING THIS FAMILY. Franzen pegged them completely, at least in their familial roles.
I certainly wouldn't put this book in everyone's hands but I'd love to do it in a book group. I suspect this one will stay with me for years.
I certainly wouldn't put this book in everyone's hands but I'd love to do it in a book group. I suspect this one will stay with me for years.
Reading a novel 20 years old these days is a strange experience, because it's "modern" but really not. It already feels dated. It feels like it's trying to be too cool in that heightened way, where every character is a parody of a type, but it's neither real enough to be real or parody enough to be funny. It's just sad and often slow and annoying and in need of a good editor. And maybe that worked for a book award 20 years ago. I read a lot of novels these days that feel too detached, and perhaps I'm Golidlocks. That one is too cool, this one is too in-your-face, none of them are just right.
Just about everything in the Lamberts lives could use some corrections: elderly Edna and Arthur and their children Gary (married with children), Chip (ex-professor) and Denise (divorced chef). Their personal lives, their relationships, their finances, the economy, the country could all use a fix, but that doesn’t mean that anything is getting better. Like War and Peace, this tome is full of the life of the characters.
This was well-written, though depressingly "modern." By modern, I mean it emphasizes the crass, boring, and sordid over the sublime, beautiful, and noble. It's all tongue in cheek, of course...almost snide at times. Like horseradish, I'd say Jonathan Franzen's writing is something to be "savored" in small doses--and though I won't forget the book in a hurry, it's not a favorite, either.
Beautiful prose & complex characters, a dark family drama. Looking forward to reading the sequel.
Any time I've seen Jonathan Franzen mentioned in the culture media it's been in this way that you must either totally hate or completely love him. I think he's kind of just all right. His stories are great, the characters are written to an impressive depth, and I'm always interested enough to keep reading. I don't love or hate his didactic themes; I just don't really care about them.
I did find this book terribly depressing a lot. I suppose it's a good thing when a book gives you the feels. Still liked Freedom better I think.
I did find this book terribly depressing a lot. I suppose it's a good thing when a book gives you the feels. Still liked Freedom better I think.
I find it hard to trust people who read mostly young adult novels to accurately rate a book that is so clearly above the level they can understand.
That is my snobbish reply to other ratings.
I did feel that this book was a little wordy at times but overall I very much enjoyed this book. The slight unbelievable aspect (much like in Freedom) is the only reason I take a star away.
I love how honest the writing is and how, as someone in my mid-thirties, I can identify with many of the situations each of the characters are in. I laughed and worried and was moved to (almost) tears by the book.
I think Todd Solondz should make this a movie.
That is my snobbish reply to other ratings.
I did feel that this book was a little wordy at times but overall I very much enjoyed this book. The slight unbelievable aspect (much like in Freedom) is the only reason I take a star away.
I love how honest the writing is and how, as someone in my mid-thirties, I can identify with many of the situations each of the characters are in. I laughed and worried and was moved to (almost) tears by the book.
I think Todd Solondz should make this a movie.
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes